To Do the Work
It's binary. You're either out doing it, or you're not. You're truly committed, or you're not.
Another rainy morning, and the run must go on. Mile after mile, threshold interval after threshold interval. Completely disconnected. Just the sound of the raindrops, my breath, and my feet striking the wet pavement. It’s the clearest part of my day — because the focus is singular.
I look around, and the road is completely empty, all mine, because most people lack the commitment to do what needs to be done. This is what I love about running: I don't need to meet or talk to anyone to know that if you're not out here just because the weather isn't to your liking, it says a lot about you. It's binary. You're either out doing it, or you're not. You're truly committed, or you're not.
It's not about being the fastest or the fittest. It's about the truly committed.
Towards the end of my session, I finally see one person — an older gentleman running. He's definitely not the fastest nor the fittest, but he's out there in the pouring rain. We say "Good morning" to each other and share a nod of approval, because now there are two of us on the empty pavement. Without knowing each other at all, at least we know the type of person we are; we both know that we honor our commitments, and that is more than I can say about most.